Djokovic leads head to head 14-4 but this will be first meeting in a Grand Slam final
Sunday 9 September 2018 21:28, UK
Novak Djokovic believes Juan Martin del Potro is playing the "tennis of his life" as the two former US Open champions prepare to meet in Sunday's final.
The showpiece occasion at Flushing Meadows sees Djokovic back in the final for an eighth time as he goes in search of a 14th Grand Slam title, while Del Potro is back at this stage for the first time since 2009 - when he memorably won under the New York lights.
Djokovic, who won at Wimbledon in July, has lost five previous finals on the Arthur Ashe Stadium and expects another fierce battle against the Argentine, described as a "gentle giant".
He's a big-time player. He's a big-match player. He's a Grand Slam winner.
"I saw today before the match against Nadal a stat that he's the player that made most wins against No 1's of the world," Djokovic, who has never lost to Del Potro at a Grand Slam, said.
"That shows the quality that he has, especially in the big matches. He's a big-time player. He's a big-match player. He's a Grand Slam winner.
"He's playing the tennis of his life, without a doubt, in the last 15 months."
For Del Potro the match marks a remarkable return to a major showpiece meeting, as extended spells on the sidelines through injury left him contemplating his future in the sport.
"I cannot believe that I will have a chance to play another Grand Slam final in here, which is my favourite tournament," he said after beating defending champion Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals.
"So it would be special to me. Would be a big challenge, as well, because I've been fighting with many, many problems to get in this moment."
Djokovic is back to producing the tennis which saw him win five of six Grand Slam crowns between the 2015 Australian Open and 2016 French Open.
Since playing on the grass at Queen's Club in June, the 31-year-old Serb has only lost two matches. The former world No 1 reunited with Marian Vajda in March and has slowly returned to form and displayed the hunger and drive that for so long made him such a feared opponent.
Del Potro's return to a major final has been much longer in the making. Aged just 20 he defeated Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer back to back to win the 2009 US Open.
Four wrist operations have since passed prompting questions over his future in the game, but his perseverance could be repaid in fitting fashion if he triumphs on Sunday.
Well, it will be a difficult match because we are close friends. For sure we both want to win. But Novak has won Wimbledon already. He's playing so good. He will be the favourite to win on Sunday. But I don't know. When I played Roger nine years ago, he was the favourite to win, as well. I will try to make the surprise again.
He's a dear friend, someone that I respect a lot. We all felt for his struggles with injuries that kept him away from the tour for two, three years. But he was always a top five player in the eyes of everyone. Even when he dropped his ranking and started to work his way up we all knew that he has a capacity and a quality to get to the point where he is at the moment. It was just a matter of time.
Del Potro has reached the final for the loss of only one set, against big-serving American John Isner, in what has been an assured path through the draw.
Djokovic has also enjoyed a relatively comfortable passage through to the final. The 31-year-old dropped sets in his opening two rounds when he particularly struggled with the humid conditions.
Djokovic holds an imposing 14-4 head-to-head record over the towering Argentine but the Cincinnati Masters champion has significantly lost to Del Potro twice on the big stage - missing out on a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics and losing in the first round in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro.
The last time the pair met in a Grand Slam was in the 2013 Wimbledon semi-final when Djokovic prevailed in five sets and after nearly five hours on court.
Djokovic will contest his 23rd Grand Slam final, the third most in men's tennis history.
Del Potro will clinch his place at the ATP Finals at the O2 if he wins.
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Tennis is back on Sky Sports screens with the Laver Cup in September while we will also have coverage of the ATP Finals in November with every match live on Sky Sports.
